Sheriff's Office releases 911 tapes from West Ashley homicide

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WEST ASHLEY, SC (WCSC) - The Charleston County Sheriff's Office released 911 tapes of Richard Hayes telling emergency officials that his wife had been shot and that he had to warn his daughter.

On Saturday night, authorities say 40-year-old Ronald David Ratliff shot his 65-year-old ex-mother-in-law Lisa Hayes, who was visiting from out of town. The incident happened around 6:40 p.m. on Debbenshire Drive in West Ashley.

In his first call to 911 operators, Richard Hayes told emergency officials that Ratliff had entered his home and shot at both he and his wife. Although he was not hit, Hayes indicates that his wife was laying on the bed and is unsure of her condition.

Towards the end of the call, Hayes says he had to end the call in order to warn his daughter because he thought Ratliff may go after her next.

The Charleston County Coroner's Office says Linda Hayes died of two gunshot wounds to the right side of her body. She was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m. at MUSC. Neighbors said Hayes was in town visiting her daughter from Florida.

The sheriff's office has obtained warrants for Ratliff, who is still on the run for murder charges in connection with the incident. Ratliff was released from jail last Tuesday after pleading guilty on charges related to a domestic assault incident involving his ex-wife, the victim's daughter.